...or is the moral high ground really a valley?

We can remain silent no longer. When, in the course of human events, an incident occurs that demands response, it is incumbent upon every person of conscience to stand up and be counted. Thankfully, Congress is meeting that challenge. And what is this burning event that has moved our leadership to action?

America's disastrous foreign policy?

The constant strain of illegal immigration?

The scourge of MoveOn.org?

The outrageous cost of Springsteen tickets?

No. Your brave legislators are embroiled in a titanic struggle to decide whether the forced relocation of the Armenians by the Turks in 1915 amounted to genocide.

For an American population fuzzy on its own history ( many young Americans think the U.S. fought alongside the Germans in WW II), questions like "What's an Armenian?" and, "Is Turkey really a country too?" abound. The real question regarding this arcane resurrection of Byzantine history is: " Why, in 2007, is Congress debating the labeling of atrocities committed 90 years ago?

Seemingly for the same reason that you can't buy a decent Cohiba in America. A few vocal constituents living in a few legislative districts have applied enough pressure on their Congresspeople to force their beliefs/prejudices/grudges on all the rest of us.

Just in case you slept through your World History class or were out sick the day they covered World War I, the history goes something like this. Armenia (when there was an Armenia) was situated on the Eastern border of Turkey. At the outbreak of The Great War in 1914 the Turks were uncomfortable having a Russian ally on their Eastern flank (Turkey was pulling for the Kaiser; Russia was playing for the Brits and the French). The Turks decided to "relocate" the Armenians to Syria (you might wish to consult a map). This relocation was accomplished with the same compassion as the Bataan Death March. Of the approximately 1.5 million Armenians involved, more than 600,000 did not survive the trip.

Turkey claims that, in war, stuff happens. The Armenians (what's left of them) assert that this was a Turkish excuse to exterminate the entire population. Now, 92 years later, we hear from the United States. Thanks to bipartisan stupidity from a gaggle of California congresspeople, there is legislation in the House to officially define Turkey's action as genocide. This would be funny if it weren't so dumb.

Turkey is maybe the only friend America has in the Middle East. Considering a 95% Muslim majority in Turkey, that's a pretty cute trick. Why would the U.S. Congress want to stick a finger in the eye of such a vital ally while we have soldiers in harms way in the region? Even George W. Bush, who never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity, thinks that this is a goofy thing to be doing.

The bill was approved out of committee by a 27-21 vote. Hopefully the full House will let this ill-conceived foolishness die a natural death. Then Congress can begin the more important debate regarding the Rape of the Sabine Women or the salting of the fields of Carthage. (You'll need more than a map for that one. You'll need a time machine.)

We live in an age of apology. The Pope apologizes to the Jews because the Catholic Church sat out the Holocaust. America (presumably white America) has apologized to black America for slavery. Sadly, the Turks appear disinclined to follow this trend. Perhaps America should do what America does best - offer money. George W. is spending a gizzillion dollars in the region as it is. What's another billion or two?

As for Turkey, next time you want to eradicate a pesky population, do it right. Call Erik Prince at Blackwater.